The Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) is one of the leading geoscientific research and contract service organisations in Europe, with its main focus on mineral resources and their sustainable utilisation. We have extensive expertise, global networks and a modern research infrastructure, including a mineral processing pilot plant. Our annual expenditure is 56 million Euros, and we employ over 600 people in five locations.

Finland is the hub of mining and mineral exploration in Europe. The Finnish government actively promotes the minerals sector, and a major R&D&I programme called "Green Mining" was launched in 2011. EU framework programmes also offer new opportunities for R&D in the minerals sector.

We are seeking for two highly motivated candidates to do research in one of the following areas:

Ore geology: Your duty is to do research on selected ore deposit or ore forming processes, concentrating on Finnish deposits and deposit types. Applicants should be aware of the state of the art electron beam and isotope facilities located at GTK, and apply them in your research.

Applied mineralogy: Your duty is to develop and apply mineralogical or geometallurgical methods for ore geology research

Mineral processing: Your duty is to do research and develop mineral processing techniques for ore deposit beneficiation.

Information modelling and ontology: Your duty is to develop and improve GTK's capabilities to deliver Earth Resource Data by using global geostandards and participate in implementation of interoperable network services/databases for Earth Resource information using GeoSciML and EarthResourceML.

A more detailed research plan will be developed jointly with the successful applicants.

Conditions - Positions are filled for 2 - 3 years

The Postdoctoral Researcher positions can start as early as the 1st of November 2012 and will be filled for 2-3 years, including a trial period of up to 4 months. There is a possibility that the positions may be converted to permanent status at the Senior Scientist level. The salary for these positions will be based on job demand level 9 of the GTK with an additional 7-20% personal work performance portion, resulting in an overall starting range of 3650 to 4100 € per month.

Requirements - Enthusiastic and skilful candidates

We expect the applicant to have a PhD or equivalent in geology or engineering, and be highly motivated, experienced, and with a good track record in research. We also appreciate experiences connected to applied research in close cooperation with industry. Fluency in English is a minimum language requirement.

We offer a modern, well-equipped working environment with competent, internationally oriented and highly trained personnel. Benefits include a workweek of 36 hours with daily flexibility, six week annual holidays and State health care and pension plans. GTK's payroll system consists of a job-specific portion and a personal portion, with the latter constituting up to 33% of the total depending on performance and expertise. For GTK's research programmes and infrastructures see: http://en.gtk.fi/research2/

Applications - Closing date 27 August 2012

Please send your application so that it arrives by 27 August 2012 to: Geological Survey of Finland, Registry Office, P.O.Box 96, 02151 Espoo, Finland (street address: Betonimiehenkuja 4, Otaniemi) or gtk@gtk.fi. Please mark your envelope or e-mail "Postdoctoral Researcher".

Please, include:

• Brief curriculum vitae
• Copies of university diplomas
• List of publications
• Names and addresses of two referees
• A brief description of research interests and to which research area you are applying.

For questions concerning the position contact Research Director Pekka Nurmi, e-mail pekka.nurmi@gtk.fi, tel +358 40 5045236, or Research Professor Raimo Lahtinen, e-mail raimo.lahtinen@gtk.fi, tel +358 40 5739687.